Restart Spain

The Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire have had a long-standing feud, but it still starts with the title of the Tsar.

The Grand Duke of Moscow, Ivan III, married Sophia Paleologe, the daughter of the last emperor of Byzantium. As the only daughter of Constantine XI, she was the most serious heir to the Eastern Roman Empire.

Princess Sophia's son Vasily III and grandson Ivan IV ascended the throne successively. Ivan IV claimed to be a descendant of the imperial family of the Eastern Roman Empire and called himself Tsar. The national emblem of the Byzantine Empire, the "double-headed eagle", was also inherited by Tsarist Russia, which has since called itself the "Third Rome".

The Russian royal family considers itself to be descended from the Roman emperor, and beginning with Vladimir in Kievan Rus, the whole country of Russia began to believe in the Orthodox Church.

Therefore, whether it is to restore Constantinople, the old capital of Eastern Rome, or to expand the influence of Tsarist Russia in the hearts of Eastern Orthodox Christians in Central and Eastern Europe, defeat Ottoman Turkey, occupy Constantinople, and become Tsarist Russia's "manifest destiny".

Economically, the capture of Constantinople means that Russia will break the Black Sea cage and expand its influence in the Mediterranean.

The most recent Crimean war between the two sides can be said to be the largest war in the whole of Europe after Napoleon, and Russia lost almost all the influence of the Crimean Peninsula.

The uprisings in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria made the Russians sharpen their knives.

Under such internal and external troubles, the prime minister, Midhat Pasha, who participated in the dethronement of the Sultan, was also very worried.

The national uprising in Europe has exhausted the new Ottoman leader who was committed to reform. At this time, the Ottoman Empire could not get as much support as it was during the Mia War.

The French had already broken the shackles of the Holy Alliance in the Crimean War, and the British were clearly not strong enough on land to support the fight against Russia.

In the Crimean War, although France suffered heavy casualties, it succeeded in dismantling the Holy Alliance, making the "Treaty of Four Powers" obsolete and breaking Europe's restrictions on France since then. Obviously, this crisis did not make the French excited. .

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which also has interests in the Balkans, has a less obvious attitude. After all, Turkey is Austria-Hungary's life-and-death enemy after all.

From Spain's standpoint, this war can be said to have nothing to do with Spain, and the terrifying consumption of the war is a great opportunity for Spain's arms.

Spanish Finance Minister Palaciides also officially came to this chaotic land. The rebels, the Turkish army, and the Russian army will all be the guests of the Spaniards.

"Prime Minister Midhat Pasha, I don't think you need to think about it. As the best artillery in the world, the Russian artillery can't pose any threat to him."

Palacides did not have much affection for the Turks either. As one of the most devout Catholics in Europe, the Spaniards had high expectations for Jerusalem.

"Master Prime Minister, I believe that your country has also learned that there are currently more than 3,000 light artillery pieces in the Russian army, and the number of the Russian army is nearly twice that of the Turkish army, and our country's armament can perfectly make up for this gap. "

The number of the Turkish army was 400,000, and the number of Russian troops involved in the attack on Turkey later reached the total number of the Turkish army.

"Your Excellency Palacides, as we all know, our country's finances are already in jeopardy, and there is simply no strength to buy weapons from your country."

Midhart Pasha's words revealed helplessness. In the past 20 years, the Ottoman Empire has signed 16 foreign loans with a total amount of nearly 220 million pounds, but in fact, after deducting various service fees, only 110 million actually received. GBP.

In the 110 million British list, more than 60 million are used to pay the interests of the great powers. After borrowing 220 million, only 40 million are actually available.

The Japanese purchased the equipment and ammunition of a Spanish division, but only cost 4 million pounds, and it was still more than half of the market price.

The money that the powers hacked from the Ottomans could equip the entire Russian army with Spanish weapons without worrying about ammunition.

The 10th Russo-Turkish War became the last big tree that crushed the camel. After the war, the tax revenue of Turkey was controlled by the European powers to repay the loan, and it was completely in decline.

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, we do not require cash payment, we can accept payment in kind and other methods."

Palacides did not refute. He still understood the situation of Ottoman. The modernization reform was not completed, and he was forced to collect debts by European countries.

"As far as I know, the French are basically no longer supporting your country, and the British navy is obviously not on the road, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire is even ready to support the Russians. I think your country may have to be alone on land. Against the Russian Army."

"But our army, after military reform, is not as large as the Russians, but we are equipped with weapons from Britain, France and Germany, and we have an advantage in weapons and equipment."

Although the Ottomans are economically controlled, the powers are still very concerned about blocking the Russians in the Black Sea. Regardless of the quality of the troops, the equipment of the Ottoman army is indeed stronger than that of the Russians.

"But the difference in numbers is already obvious, isn't it? The Russians' ambitions are already clear. If the Austro-Hungarian Empire clearly supports them, I think they will launch an attack without hesitation."

Germany and France can play little role in this matter. As the bordering Austro-Hungarian Empire, they have a stronger voice in the Balkans than them.

"Your Excellency, the betrayal of the Balkan Slavs, I think it has already made your European army unsustainable, and they will definitely choose to support the Russians. If the Russian army really presses the border, it must be a great threat to your country. "

Palacides helped Midhat Pasha analyze the situation. The Turks have no money, but the British have it. If the Turks can convince the British, then this order will not be a problem at all.

And if there is no persuasion, it is also possible to send raw materials from the Ottomans for payment, and even control the Ottoman taxation with the great powers in the next few years.

"Please allow us to think about it, the current financial situation of our country does not allow such a transaction to be carried out."

Midhart Pasha replied that Ottoman really had no money, and now his hope is still pinned on the help of Britain and France.

"That's natural, but I want to remind your Excellency the Prime Minister that our country's machine guns and artillery will make the numerical advantage of the Russians worthless."

This is the last sale. Although Ottoman is miserable, he is a dead camel after all. In the face of such a big threat, there is no guarantee that they will not escape.

And the Russians, like the Turks, are also known as the Great Poor Ghosts. Although the Russians have a larger market, the Spaniards who can only wear a pair of pants with the British today cannot take the initiative to find the Russians.

The uprising army can, but this group of peasants are completely turned over. It is more difficult for them to come out with money than to kill them.